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Philosophy/religion

Is there anyone Jewish/Or Not on MN who could answer this question

9 replies

Radley · 21/02/2007 20:30

I have just been watching a programme where there was a funeral for a jewish gentleman.

At the interrment, stones were placed on the coffin by people attending the ceremony.

I am really interested to know what this symbolises/means.

Thanks

OP posts:
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lulumama · 21/02/2007 20:31

i believe it is a respect thing, to show that someone has visited and remembered you, i am not sure, i do it whenever i go to the cemetery, i will double check now. just one of those things i do,without really being sure why !

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lulumama · 21/02/2007 20:32

it is a respectful tradition

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shosha · 21/02/2007 20:42

Message withdrawn

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lulumama · 21/02/2007 21:10

am indeed, shosha. don;t practice a lot,erm, at all really , but brought up with all the traditions ...

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shosha · 21/02/2007 21:19

Message withdrawn

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controlfreakydave · 21/02/2007 21:20

yup. not jewish but dh is...

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MrsSchadenfreude · 21/02/2007 22:13

I am culinarily Jewish
Yes, it is a mark of respect and to show that the grave has been visited. Someone also told me it is to symbolically "bury" the person as well.

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Sugarmagnolia · 23/02/2007 14:41

Likewise Jewish people don't put flowers on the grave or send flowers to those in mourning. It's more common to send just a card and/or food and/or make a donation.

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princesslolly · 08/03/2007 01:05

The custom comes from the rock being a symbol of the circle of life. Flowers wilt and die and the symbolism to that would be that it would suggest a finality in death, which is not something consistent with Jewish belief. We believe that spiritually speaking life is eternal. Not to mention it is also a symbol that living creatures are born and then die in a continuous cycle of life and this is something we must remember at a time of death or visiting those that have passed. A rock is something permanent and everlasting, it does not wilt and die. It is for the same reasons that there is absolutely no custom in Judaism of sending flowers to the family of the deceased. During the mourning phase visitors bring food and drink to the family of the deceased, never flowers.

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